This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I am recently diagnose with MS. Since my diagnoses I have serveral friends that have been showing some signs. As a matter of a fact there once was a joke between us that if one found out what was wrong then we would all know. I have been doing my own research and this is what I have come up with so far:

1.) We all working at a warehouse where they stored a popular detergent here in the US.

2.) When we all started work the smell of this detergent was in our clothes on our skin, but after working there for a while we could no longer smell the oder or anything eles for that matter.
( We would go to lunch and everyone would comment on gee you guys smell good)

In looking up the Safety Data Sheet on this particular detergent I find that it containes Benzene and I have to admitt this is a loose theory. But why is this diease so popular these days? More common now than every. I did my research and it has been since this company started manufacuring this and other health and beauty aids. I know, please don't think I am crazy. Just wondered it anyone eles has been expose to a detergent or household product in a warehouse environment? If so look up the OSHA data safety sheet and let me know.

I have run across many articles suspecting the link between many volatile organic compounds (VOC's)and MS. Chronic carbon monoxide exposure..........and many others industrial exposures too.

Many of these theories get discredited by the statement " then why doesn't everbody there have neurological problems".

In comes the "genetic factor". Also, how come people that have never been exposed to the VOC's get MS?

That brings up the multiple causes theory.

I'm not doubting the possibility, discouraging, or trying to discredit either, just presenting info. I've run across.


One question always raises ten more huh!


Treez

Yea, I know. I have no doubt you have to have the gene to be predisposed to it. I have 4 cousins on my mothers side of the family including me that have MS. Also some 2nd cousins, they traced it this back to 1 common ansector. I periodically get her picture out and look at it. At least I know where this all started in our family. My family is riddle with MS and undiagnosed MS symptoms with no flare ups. For years doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. I thought I was a hypocondriact (or however you spell it). It just seems like more people are getting this now days,or maybe it just is more talked about these days. Which is good for us, to raise awareness. Thanks for your input.

Somewhere recently I read an article that coined MS as " The polio of the 90's"

I've also heard " it's todays better diagnostic techniques that make it seem like there are lots more cases.

Personally, I don't believe that's only it. Sure it may account for some but I strongly think the number of cases is on the rise too.

Why? Our genes haven't been mutating in a generation or two!


Treez

I had not thought of that! Gene mutation........hum....thought to ponder.

Hey DeeDee,

I just wanted to let you know that every business has to keep a record of Hasardous Substance Fact Sheets (MSDS) here in Jersey. I know because I am the one that files the reports annualy where I work. They are supposed to be accessable to the employee's in case of an emergency.

Here is a link to an MSDS for Benzene. You may also want to see if there are any regulations in the state of Georgia about MSDS files in the workplace.

http://www.hess.com/EHS/msds/Benzene_0166_clr.pdf

Be well,

_________________
Karen (OneEyeBlind)

* I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!

I wasn't implying that Benzene or any of those VOC's caused mutations and MS in any current employee. What I meant was, the rise in MS cases generally couldn't be blamed on gene mutations in the population. It is generally accepted that gene mutations occur randomly with resultant "defects" being just as random. Sooooo....what's the chances of everybody now living with MS having the same gene mutations from environmental factors. Extremely slim to none I'd guess.

It's also accepted that if you had a gene defect as a result of your exposure to industrial chemicals, solvents, herbicides, etc. it probably wouldn't be you they affect. It would be your children.

Exposure to chemicals and affecting another aspect of your/our biology...now that is a whole other story...and very possible. One example: it is known that repetitive, long term exposure to gasoline, and motor oil whether it be skin or breathing vapors can cause cancer. Guess what a couple components of gasoline are...........toluene, and benzene.

Way off track but just some thoughts.

Treez

P.S. Not positive but I think MSDS's might be an OSHA thing. That would make them Federally mandated.

Maybe not to slim if we were all expose to the same common household detergent..............if you wash your clothes in it, it is in your clothes, if its in your clothes, its on your skin, on your skin in your body. I totally don't know what I am talking about and this is all speculation. Just a thought.......maybe far fetched.....but it seems maybe possible.

DeeDee
I worked for a paint mfg co which mfg onsite paint for marine vessels and offshore platforms. I became quite ill while working there and eventually just left employment with them. I was exposed to benzene and many other chemicals during my employment there. The last day I was there one of the guys from the warehouse walked in and I immediately became sick to my stomach just from the smell of chems on him.

Cant say whether this causation of my MS. I can only say through dissecting my med history with my MS Neuro we feel certain this likely was my first attack which lasted for close to eight months. I was seen by specialist after specialist and no one checked for MS. I was thought to possibly have leukemia b/c of the chem exposure and the MSDS on all products I turned over. That turned out not to be the case.

By a year later I was up and going again for the most part having a good 10 yr run.

I feel strongly while the chem exposure may not have caused my MS I do believe the insult caused a trigger of things to go on which resulted in my having MS.

Hi all!

The phrase, "probably wouldn't be you they affect. It would be your children", made me think: maybe it's not what
we've been exposed to, but our parents, when health and safety regulations were looser.
Just a thought.

TwistedHelix.....can I call you DNA for short ? Just kidding.

I'm not discounting the "parents exposure thought". I have considered that. Unlikely in my case though because........my father was always a white collar worker in an office setting. Not the typical setting for industrial chemical exposure. My mother was a "homemaker". I can confidently say she was never exposed to anything we are questioning.

If you want to look at common household agents as the cause for us kids of those exposed, wouldn't you think there would be a higher incidence of neuro. disease than there is?

Just adding my two cents worth


Treez

Yup! DNA-- Those are my initials! Actually, I tend to agree that environmental substances are more likely to interact biologically rather than trigger genetic mutation--what about ingested substances? I'm a bit hung up on 'leaky guts' at the moment!

As others have pointed out, benzene is a known carcinogen. I would treat it with the respect it deserves, e.g., only use it in a fume hood, wear gloves, and where necessary use a respirator.

It might also be of interest to many to know the actual name of this "popular" detergent.

As a side note, I spent 10 years working professionally as an auto mechanic. I've been out of that business for 8 years but still find that I'm particularly sensitive to the smell of gasoline and car exhaust. For example, if while driving I get stuck behind a car that's running too rich I have to close the windows and fresh air vents so I don't get gassed out. I have also had to avoid bicycling near busy roads. In addition, early in my career, before I religiously started wearing gloves, I developed a skin reaction to the solvents we used to clean parts. The sores on my hands began healing almost immediately after I started wearing gloves. It's amazing what a little protection from hazards will do (that's what I was referring to above when I stated treat it with respect).

NHE

DeeDee,
I have been dxed for 4 years now and in that time I have also had the thought that maybe we were or are being exsposed to chemicals that could be a factor in us having ms, but it would have to be very common, and if chemicals in combination with genes and virus and environment, that would be quite a coincidence. Not saying that it isn't possible, especially if it's something in a detergent or soap. I'm pretty sure that we have all tried various types of detergents and it is concivable that we all possibly been exposed to the same chemical or chemicals, especially if it is a common one that is used in more than one product. It's kind of scary to think that it is a possibility? Just thinking outloud.
Dena